Biographical annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settlers, Part 86

Author: Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899. dn; Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: [Chicago, Ill.] : Beers
Number of Pages: 1186

USA > Pennsylvania > Lancaster County > Biographical annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settlers > Part 86

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JACOB D. KOHR, who lives one mile north- west of Lancaster, belongs to one of the old families of the county, and well sustains the honor of the fam- ily name. His father, Rev. Bishop John Kohr, now deceased, was a noted man in the church : he is men- tioned elsewhere.

Jacob D. Kohr was born April 14. 1845, on the place adjoining the one where he now makes his home. His education was gained in the public school. and when he was twenty-five years of age he began business for himself on a sixty-five acre farm belonging to his grandfather, in Manheim township, where he remained one year. His next location was in East Lampeter township, where he operated two rented farms of sixty-five acres each, remaining there only one year, however, when he moved to Lancaster to become the first steward of Harbach | Hall, Franklin and Marshall College. At the end of a year he resigned this position, in which he had given good satisfaction, as he was needed at home to take charge of the farm. With his brother he carried on the family homestead for three years, and then established himself on the old David O. Shirk farm. The following year he located on a farm which his father had bought for him, consisting of sixty-seven acres, a portion of which he sold to the railroad company, and then operated the remainder

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from 1876 to 1896. In the latter year he bought the home property, where this writing finds him re- tired from active farming. This property comprises three acres, and the place has been thoroughly re- modeled to meet his ideas of what a neat and attrac- tive home should be. Though not now engaged in active farming, Mr. Kohr is still in active business, putting up for the market Saratoga chips, fruit but- ters, catsups, and a similar line of toothisome daintics.

Mr. Kohr was married Dec. 244, 1868, to Miss Mary F., a daughter of Benjamin and Lydia Lan- dis. She was born in Franklin county, Pa., near Waynesboro, Sept. 1, 1848. To Mr. and Mrs. Kohr have come the following children : (I)

Frank L., born Jan. 3, 18;0, married Miss Barbara Harnish, by whom he has had one child, Elizabeth, and is a florist. (2) Annie L., born Oct. 21, 1871, is the wife of Jacob L. Kreider, a grocer at the corner of Chestnut and Nevin streets, Lancaster, and is the mother of three children, Esther, Jesse and Mary. (3) Alice, born May 1, 1875, is the wife of Elmer J. Weaver, the florist. of East Lamp- eter township, and is the mother of one child, Lloyd. (4) Howard L., born Aug. 5, 1877. is a machinist employed at the Westinghouse airbrake works, in Pittsburg. (5) Esther, born Sept. 7, 1883, is at home. (6) Lydia was born July 8, 1885. (7) John was born Feb. 8, 1890. Mrs. Kolır is a mem- ber of the Reformed Mennonite Church and the family are among the Christian and highly intelli- gent people of this section of the county.

Frank I .. Kobr, the eldest son, obtained his edu- cation in the public schools and in the State Normal, where he attended two years. In 1875 he estab- lished his greenhouse on the site where he has since built up a prosperous business, having removed his plant from the farm, where he was rcared, and where he began the business in 1890. Beginning with 3,000 feet of glass, he now has 7,000. Hc makes a specialty of carnations, and also of bedding plants, such as geraniums, begonias and petunias. His product goes to Philadelphia and Reading. In 1892 he began trucking, and conducts a truck farm of five acres in connection with his floral business. He has some 300 peach trees, and watches the Lan- caster markets very closely. In 1892 he bought his home, situated about a mile northwest of Lancaster city. Mr. Kohr belongs to the Society of American Florists, and is a member of the Page Society.

ABRAHAM HIRSH. The Hirsh Brothers may be justly placed in the front rank of the busi- ness men of Lancaster by reason of their pronounced ability in trade, their intelligent observation of com- mercial and mercantile matters, their wise discern- ment of the wants of the people, and their readiness to cater to the wants of the people as well as their uniformly satisfactory dealing with their patrons. These have been prominent factors in their success in building up a trade in the city second to none, and

in acquiring fortunes that have placed them among the heaviest taxpayers of Lancaster. They have been the architects of their own fortunes, earning what they owned, and in the afternoon of life are surrounded by happy families, in the full enjoyment of all the good things that wealth affords.

Like many other successful business men of Lancaster, the Hirsh brothers were not to "the man- ner born," but first saw the light in Hessen-Darm- stadt, Germany, only a few miles from the famous city of Worms. Their parents, Meyer and Dora Hirsh, frugal and industrious villagers, reared their boys until they had attained manhood, when they were sent forth at their own request to the New World, with but small capital, to carve out their own fortunes.

Leopold Hirsh, the first of the brothers to come to America, arrived in New York in 1851, and there purchased a small stock of notions. He made his way to Reading, Pa., where he was joined the fol- lowing year by his eldest brother, Abraham. The brothers united their little savings and worked hand in hand as peddlers of fancy notions, and within a year had made sufficient advance to be able in 1853 to open a store at Danville, Pa., where at the time was building the Catawassa railroad, and the Montrose Iron Works were in full blast. The young merchants rented a store and, vigorously pushing the jewelry and notion business, made money rapidly. Before they had been in business twelve months they rented another building, on the opposite side of the town, and fitted it up as a clothing store. Abraham Hirsh went to Sunbury, where he rented a room and began the watch and jewelry trade, having an old and experienced watch- maker from Germany as his assistant. He did a fair business. As times changed at Danville the brothers sought another location, selling the two stores in that place, and the Sunbury establishment passing into the hands of the German assistant. In 1854 the Hirsh brothers made their advent in Lan- caster. They opened a small store on North Queen street, near Center Square, and there was the mod- est beginning of the extensive millinery and notion store of A. Hirsh. The place extended but half way through to Market Place, and one-half the front; was occupied by another dealer. In this contracted space they began business, and soon afterward ob- tained the adjoining storeroom, which they fitted up as a clothing store. Their business rapidly in- creased to large proportions, and in 1857 they were able to purchase the Griel property, which they had rented. In 1861 they bought from John Farnum the property on the northwest corner of Center Square and North Queen street, extending it through to Market Place. In November of the same year they sold to Jacob Bowers the rear portion of this property for $8,000. In 1884 they bought the property back for $20,000, their expanding business demanding more room. The building was entirely remodeled to meet the wants of their trade. Ail

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the partitions were taken out and each floor thrown into one room, the principal salesroom extending from North Queen street to Market Place, new fronts were put in, and the entire building was ad- mirably heated and ventilated. From the ground up it is stocked with an immense amount of cloth- ing, uncut cloth and men's furnishing goods. Be- fore these improvements were made to the corner building equally extensive improvements were made on the Griel property. It had been extended through to Market Place, and the entire ground floor thrown into one large salesroom for the mil- linery, jewelry and fancy goods trade. the upstairs rooms being stocked with an extensive assortment of miscellaneous merchandise. The original firm of Hirsh Brothers, consisting of Abraham, Her- man and Leopold Hirsh, was dissolved in 1874, Abraham Hirsh taking the millinery department, and Herman and Leopold taking up the clothing de- partment, under the name of Hirsh Brothers. Le- opold Hirsh died Dec. 1, 1901, at his home in Phila- delphia.

Abraham Hirsh continued in the millinery bus- iness until 1899, and in 1900 disposed of the jew- elry business, retiring at that time from active life. His was the guiding hand for this extensive busi- ness in its earlier days, and he was known as a shrewd and keen business man, his success well at- testing his reputation in that respect. Personally he is an affable and courteous gentleman, and he has been one of the most enterprising men of Lancaster since the day of his arrival. He has always been a generous contributor to all the deserving charities of the city, without regard to age, creed or condi- tion.

Mr. Hirsh has owned and controlled a large amount of real estate in Lancaster. both alone and in company with his brothers, and he is still the pro- prietor of a fine farm, as well as of valuable real estate in the city. He also has good property in the West, and was ever alert for a good business in- vestment. In 1867, in company with his brothers, he established a manufacturing business in Phila- delphia, putting on the market a very desirable um- brella, and this business was successfully conducted by them for more than ten years. Abraham Hirsh was one of the promoters and founders of the street railroads of Lancaster, as well as of the Quarry- ville railroad. He was largely interested in the successful establishment of the Lancaster Inquirer.

Mr. Hirsh belongs to the F. & A. M., holding membership in Kensington Lodge, No. 21, and he is one of the oldest members of the Jewish Syna -. gogue in the city of Lancaster, having been its pres- ident for the last sixteen years. He was formerly a Democrat in politics, but now supports the Repub- lican party. However, he is not active in party af- fairs. His residence is at No. 129 North Duke street.

Mr. Hirsh was born June 21, 1827. He mar- ried for his first wife Miss Fannie Greenwald, of

Philadelphia, by whom he had four sons and three daughters. The eldest son. Leopold, was a success- ful merchant in Mckeesport, Pa., where he died March 21, 1895. David, the second son, is in the tobacco business in New York. Harry, the third son, is in the tobacco trade in Lancaster ; he is mar- ried and has one child, Fanny. Benjamin, the youngest son, is in the livery business at Lancaster. Celia, the eldest daughter, married Morris Hock- himer, an extensive dealer in wool in Wheeling, W. Va., and has three sons and one daughter, Benja- min, Ellwood, Herbert and Florence. Rosa G., the second daughter, is the wife of Henry Weil, a lead- ing horse dealer of Lancaster, and has one child, Hortense. Estella, the youngest daughter, is the wife of Henry Rider, a wholesale cigar dealer of Lancaster, and has two children, Fanny and Adrian. Mr. Hirsh married for his second wife the widow of Abraham Sussman, of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.

SAMUEL A. SHELLEY, retired farmer of Rapho township, was born Sept. 27, 1846, on a farmi adjoining the one he now occupies, and he still owns it.

Samuel Shelley, his father, died on the old home- stead near by the farm of his son in 1886, at the age of seventy-eight years. He was buried on the farm. He married Maria Acker, who was born in 1819, and is still living with a daughter. Samuel Shelley was a member of the Brethren in Christ Church. For years during his life he was a director of schools for his district. The following children were born to him and his wife: Isaac A., a retired farmer of Sporting Hill; Emanuel A., a farmer of Rapho township: Samuel A., whose name opens this sketch: Anna A., wife of Henry Gibble, a farmer; Maria A., wife of Daniel Wolgemuth, a farmer : and Aaron A., a farmer of Rapho township. Samuel A. Shelley's grandparents were Abraham and Lizzie ( Brandt) Shelley, of Rapho township. The grandfather died at the age of ninety-two years, and his father, also named Abraham, lived to the age of ninety-four. The grandfather on the mother's side was Jacob Acker, of Lancaster county.

On Nov. 23, 1869, Samuel A. Shelley married Miss Fanny A. Erhart, of Lancaster county, the ceremony being performed by Rev. W. T. Gerherd. To this marriage has come one daughter, Fanny E., now the wife of John B. Hossler. a farmer of Rapho township: they have four children, Jennie S., Clayton S., John S. and Henry S.

Mrs. Samuel A. Shelley was born in Rapho township April 7, 1849, daughter of John and Re- becca (Brubaker) Erhart, of Rapho township. The father is still living on his farm, but the mother died in 1881, at the age of fifty-five years. She is buried in Hernlev's Meeting House cemetery. She was of the Mennonite faith. Mr. Erhart retired from farming in 1880. He and his wife had children as follows: Benjamin, a retired farmer of Rapho township; Fanny A., wife of Samuel A. Shelley;

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Samuel, a farmer of Rapho township ; and Rebecca, who died at the age of thirty-six years. Mrs. Shel- lev's paternal grandparents were John and Fanny (Rohrer) Erhart, of Lancaster county, of Swiss origin. Her grandparents on her mother's side were John and Anna (Wenger) Brubaker, of Lan- caster county.

Samuel A. Shelley remained on his old home- stead until 1900, when he retired and moved to his present residence, turning over his former place to his son-in-law. The family are members of the Mennonite Church. Mr. Shelley votes with the Republican party. Ife is a prominent man in his district, and is respected and looked up to by all who know him for his many sterling qualities.

SAMUEL F. FREY, senior member of the well known firm of S. F. Frey & Son. furniture dealers and undertakers, at Marietta. is one of the most suc- cessful merchants and prominent citizens of Lan- caster county. Many of the most prominent citizens of America, to-day, are self-made men-men who through poverty and obscurity have fought their way to prominence and honor. A volume of the biog- raphies of representative men of Lancaster county would indeed be incomplete without a sketch of Sam- uel F. Frey, who strikingty illustrates the force of well-directed energy, steadfast purpose and persistent effort for the accomplishment of noble results, and the overthrow of those obstacles that beset the prog- ress of the young man who, unaided and alone, com- bats with life's stern realities.

The Frey family has been long and honorably connected with the history of Pennsylvania, whither the original representatives came from France. They were identified with the Huguenots as early as 1629. Originally the home of the family was in Switzerland, Cantous Aargan and Fribourg having been the ancient cradle of this race. In the old town of Fribourg there are documents proving beyond a doubt the origin of the name of Frev. These records tell that because of the bravery displayed by the chief and his clans of Aargau, and the prominent part they had taken in the victory over Charles the Bold, at Morat, 1476. they were declared "Free" (German "Frei"), were authorized to adopt the name of Frey, and were constituted a free and separate principality in Switzerland.

Abram Frey, great-grandfather of Samuel F .. was an ordained clergyman of the Evangelical Asso- ciation, and was for many years connected with the itinerary service, continuing thus in the Master's cause until called to his reward, at the age of seventy- five years.

Samuel Frey, son of Abram, was born in Union county, Pa., and became a farmer by occupation. In his religious views he followed the faith of his father, joining the Evangelical Association. In politics he was a supporter of the Old-line Whigs. He married Anna Bowman, and they became the parents of two sons, Abram and Samuel, and one daughter, Anna,

who married Abram First, of Harrisburg, Pa .; all are now deceased. Samuel Frey, the father, died in Union county at the age of forty-nine, and his wife passed away at Florin, this county, Jan. 7, 1879, aged seventy-four years.

Rev. Abram Frey, son of Samuel, and father of Samuel F., was born in Union county, Pa., Nov. 14, 1823. He was a man of superior intelligence, and in early life engaged in teaching public school. Feeling called to consecrate his life to the work of God, he became a minister of the Evangelical Association, and filled pulpits at various points in Lancaster, Leb- anon, Berks. Montgomery and Dauphin counties, continuing thus for eight years, or until his death, from typhoid fever. April 23, 1859, at the age of thirty-six. Besides his ministerial labors he had been extensively engaged in the manufacture of coverlids and counterpanes, and in dealing in wool at Mt. Joy, Lancaster county. These enterprises were managed by Joseph Classley, and were very prosperous until the panic of 1857. The heavy losses sustained then had not been overcome when Rev. Mr. Frey died, so that practically his wife and six children were left with nothing except a small home. On July 3, 1845, Rev. Abram Frey was united in marriage with Miss Mary Fauby, and this union was blessed with three sons and three daughters, as follows: Martha, wife of Joseph Heineman. of Philadelphia; Abram, an artist of note in Washington. D. C. : David, who died at the age of eleven years : Samuel F., whose name opens this sketch ; Lizzie, wife of Dr. N. A. Saylor, of Philadelphia ; and Emma, wife of O. G. Hull, of Kansas City, Mo. In his political faith the father was a Whig until the disintegration of that party, after which he affiliated with the Republicans. Mrs. Mary (Fauby) Frey, the beloved mother of this fam- ily, entered into rest, in New York City, May 5. 1898, at the age of seventy-five.

Abram Frey, son of Rev. Abram, and mentioned in the foregoing as an artist of note, made a trip abroad in 1878, sailing from Philadelphia, on an American Line steamer, April 18, 1878 ; he made an extended tour, and passed much time in France, and while in Switzerland saw the papers proving the origin of the family name.

Samuel F. Frev was born near Bloomfield, in Juniata township, Perry Co., Pa., Dec. 16, 1852. For some years he was a student in the public schools of Mt .. Joy, and for one year was under the instruction of Christian Engle, a most capable instructor, near Mt. Joy. The condition of the family finances made it necessary not only that he support himself. but also that he assist in the care of the family. At the age of sixteen he left school and faced the stern realities of life for himself. On Feb. 1. 1868, he apprenticed himself to Henry S. Myers, of Mt. Jov. to learn the trade of cabinetmaker and undertaker, remaining thus employed for three and one-half years. On Jan. 3, 1872, he went to Marietta. and, finding a suitable opening, at once embraced the opportunity of eni- barking in business. Through close economy and

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hard work during extra time allotted him during his school days and apprenticeship, he had been able to save $800. Renting a small cabinet shop and ware- room in the Welchans building, he bought a stock of furniture and funeral supplies. Success rewarded his efforts from the start, and he was obliged to move to larger quarters. In 1887 he purchased the Roath property, in the heart of the business district, and, after tearing down the old buildings, erected a sub- stantial brick structure 50x80 feet, three stories and basement. This commodious building inspired Mr. Frey to hold religious services in it before using it for business purposes. With him, to think is to act, and he at once made known his intentions to the best citizens. His project met with great favor, and after the seats had been arranged a large number of people assembled to consecrate, as it were, the building to the services of God. Rev. A. B. Saylor, pastor of the United Evangelical Church of Mt. Joy, preached the sermon, assisted by Rev. Mr. Hickman, pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Marietta.

Mr. Frey now conducts the business under the firm name of S. F. Frey & Son, his son Samuel L. having been admitted as a partner. As a business man Mr. Frey has not confined his interest to his store alone. He has been largely interested in real estate, and owns considerable property in Marietta and Columbia, also being interested in farming in the northern part of the county. With others he started the Marietta Manufacturing Company, and is one of its board of directors, as well as a stockholder in the Marietta Silk Mills, using his efforts to secure the location of same in Marietta. He is an owner of stock and president of the Home Building & Loan Association, and is a director of the First National Bank of Marietta.

Education has no warmer friend in Lancaster county than Samuel F. Frey. In 1897 he was elected school director, and is now serving his fifth year. In 1898 he served as president of the school board, and he was one of the prime movers in the erection of the present modern school building, which is a credit to the town. Mr. Frey has held many positions of trust, and has frequently been called upon to settle up es- tates, acting as executor and administrator.

In religious affairs the name of Samuel F. Frey is written high as a zealous and disinterested worker in the cause of Christ. He, with a few others, made it possible, in 1896. to build Columbia Grace United Evangelical Church, corner of Locust and Walnut streets, and was the advisory member of the building committee, and the one who helped them bridge over the financial part of the question. They moved for- ward with undaunted trust and courage, never giving a thought of failure with a man like Mr. Frey by their side. until they were able to make other arrange- ments and help themselves, and had established con- fidence in their community and elsewhere, proving that they were a truly devoted, loyal Christian people, and could, and certainly would, accomplish their pur- pose by the grace and help of their Divine Master.

It was a success. The church was completed, and to-day there is not a more thriving congregation. Mr. Frey is not narrow in his religious work, his sympathies being broad enough to embrace all de- nominations, and he has assisted financially and otherwise in the upbuilding of a number of other churches. As an example of his untiring efforts may ! be detailed the establishment of the United Brethren Church of West Marietta, in 1879. Rev. J. M. Lesher ( afterward sent as a missionary to Africa) called upon Mr. Frey, and said, in substance : "I am looking for a place to hold services to preach the Gospel, and I think there is room here. I have been informed West Marietta is a very wicked place, and has room for missionary work; that the harvest is ripe, and laborers are needed. I understand there is an M. E. chapel in that part of the town that is seldom used. This is just what I want, if I can get permis- sion to use it. I was directed to you, being a mem- ber of the United Brethren faith, and as I need a place to stay when here to preach." Rev. Lesher was misinformed as to Mr. Frey's religious connection, inasmuch as he had been reared in the Evangelical Church, but that was immaterial. He welcomed him into his home, enthusiastically entering into all his plans, and agreeing to assist him as much as was in his power. These two men, armed with faith and led by the Master, wrought wondrous changes in the locality unto which they ministered. Success crowned the cause in the saivation of many precious souls rescued by the routing out of sin and wicked- ness ; the homes were thoroughly changed and sancti- fied. where the praises of God are now sung. A more radical change was never witnessed, and there are many witnesses living to-day who will be happy to testify to this. Thirty-eight were converted, and united with the church. Not only had Mr. Frey assisted Rev. Mr. Lesher in the spiritual part of this work, but there had to be a place provided for these people to worship regularly undisturbed. They were rich in courage, and in the spring of 1880 arrange- ments were made to purchase the M. E. chapel, Mr. Frey giving his own personal obligation as security for the payment. After a few years the debt was wiped out, and the church marched triumphantly for- ward without the aid of outside help. The following was contributed by Rev. William Yenser, pastor of Zion's Reformed Church, Marietta: "In church work Mr. Frev is as active and thorough as in busi- ness. and his activities are not confined to any par- ticular part of church work, but embrace all its clepartments. This activity in church life is sup- plemented by an unstinted generosity, which is exer- cised not only in behalf of his own denomination and congregation but which is as freely given to Christ's church of other denominations, he having very gen- erously aided other congregations in their need, one of which was our own congregation. and especially at this present time, in the building of our new church." In religious faith, as noted above, Mr. Frey clings to the faith of his fathers-the Evangelical As-

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Biographical annals of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania : containing biographical and genealogical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and of many of the early settlers, Part 86

Author: Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899. dn; Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1903 Publisher: [Chicago, Ill.] : Beers Number of Pages: 1186

Author: Meginness, John Franklin, 1827-1899. dn; Beers (J.H.) & Co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: [Chicago, Ill.] : Beers
Number of Pages: 1186